A lifelong area resident, he was born Aug. 28, 1936, in Watts Flats, N.Y., a son of the late Howard J. and Mildred Clark Dean Gesaman.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corp serving from March 15, 1954, to Dec. 31, 1956, during the Korean War.

Shorty was a 38 year employee of the Matco Tool Company, formerly Yorktown Industries in Lakewood, N.Y., where he worked until Oct. 24 of this year.

He was a member of the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, a life member of the Mayville Post 8647 Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Celoron Moose Lodge and the AMVETS.

Elwood M. "Shorty Gesaman

He will be remembered for this strong work ethic, loving his job at Matco Tool and working in his gravel pit for as long as he was able. He also enjoyed riding his bicycle and riding with the bicycle club.

Surviving are his four children; Troy Gesaman of Ramona, Calif., Brian Gesaman and Brett Gesaman, both of Ashville, N.Y., and Wendy Gesaman of Lakewood, N.Y.; six grandchildren: Stephany Gesaman of Oceanside, Calif., Andrew Gesaman, Daniel Gesaman and Brandon Gesaman, all of Ashville, Katelynn Thompson of Kiantone, Anna Gesaman of Jamestown; a great-granddaughter, Cassidy Ledyard of Oceanside, Calif.; and his sister, Elnora.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Sonito Alice Smith Gesaman, whom he married July 14, 1961, and who died Jan. 21, 1999; and a son, Chris A. Gesaman, who died Oct. 31, 2004.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Timothy Phelps, Hospice chaplain, will officiate.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Chautauqua County Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.

You may leave a condolence to Shorty’s family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.